Kao Corporation

Daiki Murase

Akira Hachiya

Mitsuru Sugiyama

Akiko Kawasaki

Kei Takano

Naoki Oya

Mamiko Kikuchi

Keigo Kawabata

Tsuyoshi Ohba

To provide an inhibitor of melanin decomposition, which inhibits decomposition of melanin in keratinocytes to accelerate accumulation of melanin in skin and hair. An inhibitor of melanin decomposition in keratinocytes, comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of a plant extract containing berberine or a salt thereof, berberine or a salt thereof, proguanil or a salt thereof and phenformin or a salt thereof, as an active ingredient.

Melanin decomposition inhibitor

Provided are a gene involved in the regulation of the amount of melanin in keratinocytes, and the control of the color of skin or hair, the gene being selected from the group consisting of ATG7 gene, RAB11A gene, CLIP-170 gene, Rubicon gene and RAB7B gene, and a molecule encoded by the gene.

Skin and hair color-controlling factor

An inhibitor of endothelin action or a skin-whitening agent, comprising a compound represented by Formula (1) or a salt thereof as an active ingredient: 

Inhibitor of endothelin action and skin-whitening agent

The invention provides a method for inhibiting dopa oxidase activity, for inhibiting melanin production, or for whitening skin using haguro-so or an organic solvent extract thereof, or a compound of formula (I): 

Skin whitening agent

Use of autophagic activity in regulation of the amount of melanin in a keratinocyte, the control of skin or hair color, or selection of an agent for regulating the amount of melanin in a keratinocyte or an agent for controlling skin or hair color.

Growing community of inventors

Mason, OH, United States of America

Daiki Murase